Letters from readers, from fans of our work, can be the best motivation in the world to an author. Thank you. It's a solitary profession. Your letters let us know our hard work is appreciated, that our beloved characters have struck a chord, and that we're doing something right.
Most fan letters express a reader's delight. Yay! Some letters bemoan the ending of a series, a compliment in itself. Others pose thoughtful questions. Because people who write to the author care.
And that is a precious, precious thing.
Every author I know does their best to reply to fan letters, personally, as quickly and thoroughly as time permits. To answer honestly and with respect.
Now here's the thing ... we also answer with a smidge of trepidation. Because we never know how our answer will be received. You see, by replying, we've opened ourselves up to a conversation with a stranger. We trust that conversation will go well.
Almost all of the time, it does. Thank you! There's the "it's YOU?" response of joy. A personal favourite. Always gets a smile.
There's the gracious "thank you for replying, that helps me understand the story better ... wish you would write more of my favourite next ...I'll give what you're doing a try," etcetera. Always appreciated.
Alas, once in a while, there's the reader who comes back with, how shall I put it?,a response that lacks respect for the effort, the work, and the privilege of personal contact.
Consider this scenario. A reader loves a series and has reread it myriad times. Questions arise, as they do. This reader sends those questions to the author who, pleased by such an ardent fan, replies honestly.
Honestly, meaning that there are a few questions the author admits they simply can't answer, either not having reread the books within the last few years (because who does once writing a new story?) or because the reader craves details from the made-up world the author never provided in the first place. The author hopes the reader understands.
If the reader accepts the author as (a) someone working on more books for them to read and (b) someone who Makes Stuff Up, again for them to enjoy? Wonderful. The reader's gained insights into the behind the scenes of their favourite. The author may even think in terms of adding that sort of detail in future, because clearly such a reader would notice. Bonus! Everyone's happy and appreciated.
If, however, the reader chooses to berate the author for failing to have the answers they wanted, or worse, attacks their ability to write, then what happens?
For some authors, this is end of the conversation, and they move on. (I'm one of those, if you're curious. Though I may head for chocolate or prune a tree.)For others, and I dare say it could be for most? Not that easy. Getting back to work, when your work is creative, isn't like reaching for the next part in an assembly line, comfortingly close to hand. Creativity demands both a calm state of mind and a bloody great amount of self-confidence. Shake those? The cost is hours. Maybe days. Maybe more.
Saddest of all is when I hear other authors say they simply can't afford to read fan letters any more, because an interaction has been too disruptive and the cost too great. One ill-thought, impolite, dare I say hasty? reply by a fan means all those wonderful and inspiring letters won't be read.
Yes, you could say authors should have thicker skins and just delete inappropriate or upsetting email (and prune trees). The trouble is for some authors it's their very sensitivity -- their vulnerability and openness -- that makes their work so amazing to read.
I have to wonder if that reader, because yes, this is a real scenario, had known the cost of their rude and upsetting reply to the author, would they have rethought their reply?
Maybe not. Some people vent online with no heed to others.
But maybe so. I'd like to think it possible.
Hence this blog post. My bit of advice to anyone planning to write a fan letter to their favourite author.
Please do.
Your interest and encouragement helps us create. You give us the inspiration to write more for you and to do it better. Win! Win!
Just remember that disparagement and rudeness do nothing but damage. If you don't like a book, by all means write a scathing review. But if you do love our work, don't invite us in with a compliment, then turn on us for somehow failing to satisfy a need we cannot, being people.
And to my fellow authors. Chocolate. Pruning. Move on. Because the very next letter in your inbox could be the one that makes your eyes sparkle with joyful tears and your fingers fly over the keyboard with renewed energy. Don't miss even one of those.
Be brave.